by Lucinda Race
“Good memory. The first time we met, I was a registered nurse, in school to become a nurse practitioner. My specialty is still cardiac patients. I work with Dr. Thomas and people like your dad. I’ll be a part of his care team as he prepares for surgery, and afterward, he’ll need to make a few lifestyle changes.”
She listened intently. “I’ll do whatever is needed to help him recover.” Her throat constricted. “Is he going to be okay? I mean, is the surgery risky?” She didn’t want to put into words and ask if her father could die. It was as if that would tempt fate.
“All surgery has risks, but it is absolutely necessary for your father to live a long and healthy life.”
“Is he comfortable now?” Absentmindedly, she toyed with the end of her ponytail.
“He’s resting, and the surgery will be scheduled for tomorrow morning.”
“Why not now? If he needs it, shouldn’t it be done right away?” The sense of panic was rising again in her stomach.
“We’ll monitor him overnight, but it’s important to get his blood pressure stable, and he’s a bit dehydrated. Waiting won’t pose any additional risk for him and in the cardiac unit, he’ll be closely monitored.”
He touched her shoulder. It was a comforting gesture that quieted the fear clutching her heart.
“Can I see him now or should I wait with the family?”
“Come on. I’ll take you to him and if you have any more questions, I’ll be around.”
“Thanks for talking with me.” She gave him a strained smile. “You’re very kind. I’m sure it’s just part of the job, but I appreciate it. Well, maybe it’s just who you are. Not all medical professionals are as nice.” She clamped her mouth closed and glanced at him. “I have a bad habit of rambling when I’m worried or nervous.”
He gave her a reassuring smile, and his hazel eyes were kind. “My sister Marie is a lot like that, so I’m used to it.”
She could feel her cheeks grow warm and was at a loss for words.
A set of heavy glass doors whooshed open as they walked into the cardiac unit. Her father was in a bed at the end by the window. A few other beds were occupied by people of various ages. Anna was surprised; she thought only older people had heart attacks. But this wasn’t the heart attack wing. It was for all types of heart issues.
Walking softly to not disturb anyone, she approached Dad. Mom was by his side. Colin fell behind as she walked the rest of the way alone.
Mom was holding Dad’s hand. He was resting with his eyes closed.
She whispered, “Hi, Mom.”
“Anna. I wondered where you had gone off to.” Her brow was furrowed with worry lines. “Your dad was concerned.”
“I didn’t mean to upset anyone. I went for a walk, as the sitting around was driving me nuts.” She looked over her shoulder. Her eyes sought his. “Colin found me and gave me the update on Dad’s condition and told me that he has to have surgery tomorrow.” She eased her mom into a chair. “How are you doing?”
“I’ll be fine. It’s just—” Tears welled up in her mom’s eyes and trailed down her cheeks. “I never dreamed we’d be back in the hospital, waiting for surgery. I really did think that we had his heart condition under control. He’s been exercising and watching what he eats. Mostly.”
“I’m sure there are cases when things like this happen. But he’s in good hands with Dr. Thomas and Colin. We’ll be bringing him home very soon.”
Dad’s eyes fluttered and he gave her a tiny smile. “Love your optimism, Anna. You’ve always been my glass is three-quarters full kind of girl.”
She placed a hand on the blankets. “Hey, Dad. How are you feeling?”
His voice was weak. “Guess it wasn’t indigestion.”
“You were lucky. You ignored the symptoms you were having for too long.”
Mom looked between Anna and Dad. “What are you talking about?”
“Do you want to tell her or should I?”
He gave a half shrug and looked out the window. “You can.”
She turned her gaze to Mom. “Apparently, he was having symptoms yesterday during the wedding.”
“Sam.”
Anna could hear the anguish in Mom’s voice.
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I couldn’t ruin Tessa’s wedding. And saying I wasn’t feeling well would have put the kibosh on the happy day.”
“How do you think Tessa would have felt if you had dropped dead on the dance floor?” Mom’s tone ratcheted up with each word.
“Sherry, shush. There are people trying to rest, and your tone can be grating.”
Mom pushed the metal chair back. The legs screeched against the linoleum floor. Through clenched teeth, she said, “I can’t believe you would risk your health. Yes, it was our daughter’s wedding day but really, Sam…” Tears coursed down her cheeks. With a hitch in her voice, she continued. “You could have said something when we got home last night.”
“You were exhausted and we had brunch today. I figured I’d wait until tomorrow and call the doctor.”
Anna could see why her dad had waited, but his logic was messed up. Mom was right. Things could have turned out very differently.
“Guys, let’s just take a deep breath. Dad’s in the hospital and on the mend.”
Mom moved to stand next to the window. She dried her eyes and Dad snorted. “Easy for you to say. I’m the one who goes under the knife tomorrow, and it sounds like they’re going to crack open my chest. That’s a long recovery.”
Anna moved closer to the edge of the bed. “You’re going to do everything the doctor says.”
He grumbled, “At least I can count on you and your brothers to keep the winery buzzing. Spring is not the best time to be sick.”
“Don’t give CLW another thought.” Her heart flipped. So much for making changes to her life or career. She could never leave the winery if something happened to her dad. “Does this mean you’re going to move into full retirement mode and stop going into the office five days a week?”
“For the time being, it seems I won’t have a choice.”
“Good.” Anna stood up. “I’m going to find the family and then, Mom, do you want me to drive you home?”
“No, I’ll stay here tonight.” Sam held out his hand to her. Mom moved to the bed and took it. She visibly softened as she smiled. “I know what you’re going to say.”
“You do, do you?” Dad squeezed her hand and winked at Anna.
“You’re sending me home to get a good night’s sleep.”
With a soft chuckle, he said, “See, Anna, what forty years of marriage does to a person? We can read the other’s mind.” His eyes softened. “Drive Mom home, okay?’
“I’ll wait outside. Take your time.” She leaned over Dad and kissed his cheek. Somehow, he seemed more fragile than he had sitting on the back deck just a few hours ago. She guessed it was the machinery beeping and the IV attached to his arm. “I’ll check in later.”
She turned to give them some privacy.
He called to her, “Love you, kid.”
She turned and looked over her shoulder. “I love you too, Dad.” She blinked away the tears. He was the strong and silent type when it came to expressing his feelings. Tears blurred her vision and she walked into Colin.
He reached out and grasped her arms. “Hey, are you okay?”
She nodded and wiped the dampness from her cheeks with the palms of her hands.
“Your father is in good hands so there is no need to worry, and you can call anytime, twenty-four seven, and check on him.” He reached into his chest pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. “Here’s the number for the unit.”
Without looking at it, she tucked it into the pocket of her capris. “Thanks.” She nodded toward the door. “I need to find my family.”
“I saw them in the cafeteria a few minutes ago.” He pointed to the elevator. “Go to the first floor and turn right. Walk to the end of the hall.”
“Colin
?”
“Yes, Anna?”
The way he said her name made her believe he cared about her dad and her. “My father’s going to be okay, right?”
“We’ll do our very best, but in my experience, he’s an excellent candidate to make a full recovery.”
She dropped her head, hoping he was right and they wouldn’t lose Dad. “I’m scared.”
“That is completely understandable.” He reached in his pocket and withdrew another slip of paper. “This is a bit unorthodox, but here’s my number. If you need to talk, give me a call. Anytime.”
She extended her hand. He clasped it. The warmth went up her arm and wrapped around her. Surprised, she gasped and stared into his eyes. Time seemed to stand still.
“Anna.” The sound of Mom’s voice broke the trance Colin’s eyes seemed to have trapped her in.
“Um, Mom, are you ready to leave?”
Distracted, she fumbled with her handbag. “No, but Dad wants me to go home so I’m going to let him rest.”
“You can come back anytime you’d like, Mrs. Price.”
“You’ll call if anything changes, won’t you?”
Colin’s attention was focused on Mom. “Of course.” He then looked at Anna as he spoke to her mom. “If you need to come back later, the front door will be locked. Use the ER entrance and tell them your husband is in ICU.”
“We will.” Anna slipped her arm through the crook of Mom’s. “Let’s go round up the troops and head home. I’m sure the little guys are anxious to see you.” She gave Colin a smile of thanks and steered Mom in the direction of the elevator.
Colin watched Anna and her mother get on the elevator. He remembered her vividly. She had been sitting at the foot of her father’s bed, surrounded by her entire family. He had wanted to ask her out on the spot, but that would have been totally unprofessional. After all, her father had had a heart attack and his nurse was going to hit on her? But time hadn’t dimmed his attraction to her. How could he have held the torch for her this entire time? It wasn’t like he had seen her around the area. He had been immersed in school and work, and Anna, well, she lived the glamorous life on a winery.
The elevator doors slid open and a nurse pushed an occupied bed into the hall. He stepped out of the way to let them pass. Time to get back to work. He walked through the unit doors and followed the nurse pushing the bed. A new patient would hopefully keep him distracted from the tall, beautiful brunette with the soft, chocolate-brown eyes.
3
The sun was just painting the sky from dark grayish purple to magenta, and clouds of peach drifted across the brightening blue sky. The hues of early morning gave Anna hope for the day ahead. She was behind the wheel with Mom in the passenger seat, her head turned to the horizon. Nothing bad could happen after such a glorious start. Could it?
“How did you sleep last night?”
Mom didn’t look at her. “I didn’t.”
Anna’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “You should have called. I would have come over.”
“You needed to rest. It’s going to be a long day for all of us.”
“Did you check on Dad during the night?”
“I called every hour.”
The first night had to be the hardest on the spouse. Anna was worried that Mom was holding all her emotions in check.
“He was resting comfortably, so that’s all that mattered.” For the first time, Mom’s voice cracked. She patted the bag in her lap. “I brought his reading glasses and that mystery book he started.”
Anna wasn’t about to tell Mom he probably wouldn’t be up to reading anytime soon. If it made her feel better, it was worth bringing it to the hospital. “Did you bring a sweater and something for you to read to keep your mind occupied while Dad’s in surgery?”
“I can read his book but I don’t expect I’ll be able to concentrate on anything until it’s over and I know he’s okay.” Her hands tightened on the bag’s strap. “I’m scared.”
Anna slowed the car and pulled over. She put the car in park and faced her mom. “We’re all frightened, but we have each other to lean on, and Dad has all of us. Together, we can get through anything.” She pulled her mom’s cold, clammy hand away from the strap she was clutching. “Mom, you can count on me.”
“I know.” Her eyes were bright but she didn’t shed a tear. “We should get to the hospital. I need to see your father before they take him down at seven.”
She gave Mom’s hand one final squeeze and turned her attention back to the road. They drove the remainder of the trip in silence, mother and daughter each lost in their own thoughts and fears.
Don, Tessa, and Jack’s cars were already in the visitor lot when Anna parked. Liza had to get the boys off to school, and Leo had volunteered to stop over and help. The boys had been off the wall last night once they learned their grandfather had to stay in the hospital and have surgery. Liza was sure it had a lot to do with losing their dad, and Leo was ready to lend a guiding hand. Once the boys were on the bus, they’d join the family.
Mom sat still as a statue after the car was turned off. “I don’t want to go inside.”
“Why not?” Just minutes ago, Mom had wanted to get to the hospital and now she didn’t want to get out of the car.
“If we don’t, the clock won’t start ticking down to when he goes into surgery.”
“You need to look at it another way. Once Dad’s out of surgery, he’ll be on the road to a full recovery. Surgery is the first step.”
A sob escaped her. “I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to him.”
“He has good doctors and Dad is too stubborn to give up.” Anna’s heart broke a little. She knew her parents loved each other, but this was the first time she had seen her mother so vulnerable.
Mom tapped her temple. “I know that here but”—she tapped the middle of her chest—“in here, I’m terrified.”
Anna placed her hand over Mom’s. “You’re not alone. You have all of your children to lean on today—and for all the days ahead.”
“I’m ready.” Her voice was shaky but Mom got out of the car, still clutching her bag as if it were her lifeline.
Anna hit the lock button on her car and walked with her mom, arm in arm, across the lot and through the main doors. She gave Mom’s arm a squeeze. “He’s going to be just fine.”
Mom gave Anna a tentative smile as they waited for the elevator. They rode to the fourth floor in silence. Once they stepped off, they discovered the waiting area directly across the hall. Just as Anna suspected, Don, Kate, and Jack were waiting inside. Tessa and Max came from the opposite direction, juggling cardboard trays of what Anna hoped was strong coffee. Other than wine, her family had coffee flowing through their veins.
“Has anyone been in to see your father yet?” Mom asked.
“We were waiting for you.” Don leaned in and brushed his lips against her cheek. “How are you doing?”
“I’m okay.” She hesitated and then walked into the critical care unit and paused at the desk while she spoke with a nurse before making her way to Dad’s bedside.
Anna could see through the glass walls that there was a different nurse standing next to Dad’s hospital bed. She seemed to be taking his vital signs. The family went into the waiting room and sat down.
Tessa leaned forward and massaged her temples. Max slid his arm around her shoulders. Not speaking to anyone, she said, “I feel awful. If it hadn’t been for the wedding, Dad would have gotten to the doctor sooner.”
Anna’s head swiveled in her direction. “I think it’s just the opposite. Dad was having symptoms and he was ignoring them. If we hadn’t had brunch, more than likely he would have just kept ignoring them, had a heart attack, and who knows if he would have been driving his car, wandering in the vineyard, or what. He might have collapsed without anyone around.”
Jack added, “Anna’s right. Dad’s a stubborn guy. We have no idea how long he was having issues before the wedding.”
Tessa shook her head. “No. But.”
“No buts.” Mom strode into the room. “Each of you need to go spend a minute or two with Dad before they take him to surgery.” She pointed to Don and Kate. “We’ll go in order of age.”
Anna couldn’t help but chuckle a little. “You’re always going to organize us by birth order, aren’t you, Mom?”
She gave Anna the first real smile of the day. “Mothers have been using that particular method for generations. It works, so why change?”
Don and Kate left the waiting area, hand in hand. Anna could only guess what they were thinking. She felt the weight of the world on her shoulders.
“Will Liza and Leo arrive in time to see Dad?”
Max held up his phone. “I got a text from my sister. She’s going over to Liza’s to get the boys on the bus, so Leo and Liza should be here shortly.”
Tessa clasped his hand. “That’s really nice of her.”
He kissed the back of her hand. “We’re family, remember?”
Tessa rested her head on his shoulder. Anna felt the old familiar longing of wanting that too. Someone to lean on in the tough days and have fun with on the good ones.
Colin poked his head around the corner. “Good morning.”
Anna stood up and crossed the small space to him.
“Hi. Have you seen my dad yet?”
“No. I was walking in and saw you sitting here, so I wanted to check in. Make sure you’re holding up okay.” His gaze swept the room. “All of you.” But his eyes came back to rest on her.
Mom looked from Colin to Anna and then back to Colin. “That is very kind of you.”
Anna stuck her hands in the pockets of her lightweight sweatshirt. “Will you be in surgery with Dad?”
With a shake of his head, he said, “No. I’m not a part of the surgery team, but I’ll check on him before he goes down and I’ll be here when he comes up from recovery.”
“I see.” She looked at the floor, disappointed, and realized she’d feel better if Colin was with him.
“I can check in with the operating room if you’d like while he’s down there.”
